Inside the 27,000-square-foot location, a former appliance store, visitors will see more than 80 vintage automobiles ranging from a 1920s Model A to a 1978 Trans-Am.

Among them is his wife, Evelyn's, favorite: a red-and-white 1936 Auburn speedster, so named because it was manufactured in Auburn, Ind. It features a “boat tail,” a trunk end shaped like the curvature of a boat. Lombardo estimates its value at about $79,000.

By contrast, Just steps away, visitors will see a very jaunty, charcoal-colored 1930 Ford coupe known as “a high boy” because its carriage is higher off the ground. Its value is estimated at $35,000.

Lombardo can attribute his collection to a successful career he describes as “the American dream.”

Thirty years ago, he started with a small, used car dealership in New Jersey that eventually expanded into four locations.

As he proceeded to later sell those stores, he, his wife and their daughters, Alexis and Danielle, settled on Casey Key.

“My wife said, ‘You need something to do,' ” Lombardo remembered. “I said, ‘But I don't want to do what I did up North.' She said, ‘Why don't you do classic cars? That's your passion.' ”

Lombardo converted a former granite-and-marble store on U.S. 41 in Sarasota into a showcase for vintage cars of all eras and styles.

He relies heavily on the Internet to find cars and parts for sale. And people across the country with vintage cars for sale frequently find him through his website as well.

“I realized I needed more space and I got a warehouse,” Lombardo said. “Then I thought: It's a sin to have these cars locked in a warehouse. Nobody can see them.' ”

He spent a year trying to find a suitable location for his museum and the past several months getting the location ready.

He does not intend to charge admission.

The museum will rely on a memorabilia shop for revenue. It will sell all sorts of items, from neon signs to gas pumps to drive-in movie theater speakers.

Visitors may be surprised by the diversity of his collection, Lombardo said.

“Our collection is eclectic, to say the least — from pickup trucks to dune buggies. We're not all Corvettes. We love everything.”

<p><em>VENICE</em> - After Michael Lombardo opened Ideal Classic Cars in Sarasota three years ago, he soon realized that the dealership served a dual purpose.</p><p>“What I found was that it was tourist attraction,” Lombardo said. “It was being treated as a museum.”</p><p>So, Lombardo decided to open a second location with that purpose in mind.</p><p>The Ideal Classic Cars Museum, 2223 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, opens Monday.</p><p>Inside the 27,000-square-foot location, a former appliance store, visitors will see more than 80 vintage automobiles ranging from a 1920s Model A to a 1978 Trans-Am.</p><p>Among them is his wife, Evelyn's, favorite: a red-and-white 1936 Auburn speedster, so named because it was manufactured in Auburn, Ind. It features a “boat tail,” a trunk end shaped like the curvature of a boat. Lombardo estimates its value at about $79,000.</p><p>By contrast, Just steps away, visitors will see a very jaunty, charcoal-colored 1930 Ford coupe known as “a high boy” because its carriage is higher off the ground. Its value is estimated at $35,000.</p><p>Lombardo can attribute his collection to a successful career he describes as “the American dream.”</p><p>Thirty years ago, he started with a small, used car dealership in New Jersey that eventually expanded into four locations.</p><p>As he proceeded to later sell those stores, he, his wife and their daughters, Alexis and Danielle, settled on Casey Key.</p><p>“My wife said, 'You need something to do,' ” Lombardo remembered. “I said, 'But I don't want to do what I did up North.' She said, 'Why don't you do classic cars? That's your passion.' ”</p><p>Lombardo converted a former granite-and-marble store on U.S. 41 in Sarasota into a showcase for vintage cars of all eras and styles.</p><p>He relies heavily on the Internet to find cars and parts for sale. And people across the country with vintage cars for sale frequently find him through his website as well.</p><p>“I realized I needed more space and I got a warehouse,” Lombardo said. “Then I thought: It's a sin to have these cars locked in a warehouse. Nobody can see them.' ”</p><p>He spent a year trying to find a suitable location for his museum and the past several months getting the location ready.</p><p>He does not intend to charge admission.</p><p>The museum will rely on a memorabilia shop for revenue. It will sell all sorts of items, from neon signs to gas pumps to drive-in movie theater speakers.</p><p>Visitors may be surprised by the diversity of his collection, Lombardo said.</p><p>“Our collection is eclectic, to say the least — from pickup trucks to dune buggies. We're not all Corvettes. We love everything.”</p>